Chaz Bono says America "really needs" him on "Dancing" (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) – The viewing public might be split on Chaz Bono's participation on the upcoming season of "Dancing With the Stars," but the way he sees it, his inclusion on the show is just what the doctor ordered for this country.

Reacting to the criticism he's faced sine the Season 13 cast was announced last week, Bono told ABC News, "It's made me realize I'm really glad I'm doing this, because America really needs to see this."

The 42-year-old only child of Cher and Sonny Bono added, "You know, it just kind of shows why for me it's important to be on the show, because so little still is known about what it means to be transgender. And there's so many just completely inaccurate stereotypes and thoughts that people have."

Bono, who was born Chastity Bono and underwent gender-reassignment surgery last year, ignited passions among "Dancing With the Stars" fans on Monday with the announcement that he'd be competing on the series. Many of the show's faithful expressed their displeasure over the choice on the series' message board.

"When I heard that Chaz Bono was going to be on, I was sick," went one typical anti-Bono tirade. "Not that I have anything personally again her/him, I just don't want that lifestyle choice continually flaunted in the media esp ABC."

One online group. OneMillionMoms.com, has even called for a boycott of the series, with its director Monica Cole, telling Inside Edition on Wednesday, "We will not be able to watch the show with Chaz on there. This is going to be very confusing for children, and should not be included in their cast."

In light of the backlash, Bono's mother, Cher, went on the counter-offensive via her Twitter account last week, blasting her son's critics as "bigots" and calling on her followers to come to his defense online.

"Can u guys check out sites & give him your support?" the "Believe singer wrote.

No matter how the audience reacts, Bono -- who's paired with pro dancer Lacey Schwimmer for the season -- has no intention of shrinking from the show, his advisor, Howard Bragman, asserts.

"No way he's going to back down," Bragman told Good Morning America. "This has really reinforced his decision to be on the show."

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Dan Peek, co-founder of rock band America, dies at 60 (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Dan Peek, a co-founder and musician for the folk rock band America, famous for the No. 1 hit "A Horse with No Name," has died. He was 60.

Peek, who died on Sunday, founded the band in the late 1960s with bandmates Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell while they attended high school together in London, where their fathers were stationed with the United States Air Force.

America's self-titled debut album, which featured "A Horse with No Name," shot to the top of the charts in 1972. The group won a Grammy for best new artist that year, and enjoyed a string of other popular hits including "Ventura Highway" and "Lonely People."

"We created lasting music together and experienced a life that we could never have imagined," wrote America co-founder and bandmate Dewey Bunnell on the band's website. "This news brings me great sadness. My sincere condolences go out to his wife, Catherine, and the entire Peek family. May Dan rest in peace, and his memory be cherished forever."

Neil Portnow, chief executive of The Recording Academy which gives out music's highest awards, the Grammys, called Peek "a dynamic individual and great talent."

He noted that Peek was a multi-talented musician who played guitar, bass, keyboards and harmonica.

Peek left America in 1977 and went on to perform contemporary Christian music, but never found the sort of fame he enjoyed with the popular band that recorded hit singles.

Beckley, who called Peek "a dear friend for many years," said the man "and his music will live on in the great songs he shared with us all."

(Reporting by Mary Slosson; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

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Chris Evans brings `Captain America' to Comic-Con (AP)

SAN DIEGO – Amid throngs of fans, uniformed soldiers and dancing girls, "Captain America" star Chris Evans introduced the latest Marvel film to a Comic-Con crowd Thursday, a day ahead of its nationwide opening.

"I love this movie. I really think we've got something special here," Evans said to the packed theater audience, many wearing Captain America T-shirts (and some in the full costume, with shield). "It's everything a superhero movie should be.

"I can't always be this enthusiastic, because I don't always like my movies."

With that, fans donned their special Captain America 3-D glasses and settled in for the two-hour ride. The pre-show excitement was so great that people clapped for the Paramount logo and cheered when the Marvel imprint came on screen.

Fans gathered before dawn for a chance to see the first public showing of the anticipated Marvel movie. They were rewarded for their devotion with free posters, buttons and T-shirts that read "First to see the first Avenger."

"This is what San Diego Comic-Con is all about," said Mark Walters of Dallas, who toted a poster and a T-shirt as he attended his 17th consecutive Comic-Con. "I've been waiting for this movie my whole life. I'm a huge Captain America fan."

Fans' enthusiasm remained constant throughout the action romp, where Evans plays Steve Rogers, a good-hearted but small-statured guy who enlists in the Army and submits himself for an experimental treatment to become a super soldier. Spontaneous applause erupted when Evans first came on screen, when Stan Lee made his requisite cameo and when Samuel L. Jackson appeared as the eye-patch-wearing Nick Fury.

When the credits rolled, nobody moved. This is Comic-Con, and the fans here know that Marvel movies often end with "Easter eggs" that hint at future films.

This one was a doozy: A teaser trailer for next summer's superhero-packed "The Avengers" showed at the end of "Captain America," providing fans with a first look at the film and all its superstar superheroes in one dazzling, blink-and-you'll-miss-something preview.

"I can't wait for next year!" an elated Robert Garcia said as he left the theater. He had waited since 5 a.m. to attend the "Captain America" screening. "It was worth it just for the trailer."

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Online:

http:// www.comic-con.org

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AP Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen is tweeting from Comic-Con at http:// www.twitter.com/APSandy.

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"Ugly Betty" star America Ferrera marries (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – "Ugly Betty" star America Ferrera has married longtime boyfriend Ryan Piers Williams, a representative for the actress said on Tuesday.

Ferrera and Williams were married on Monday night in a ceremony attended by Vanessa Williams and Rebecca Romjin, who are former co-stars from the ABC comedy, said the actress' spokeswoman Carrie Byalick.

"Ugly Betty" ran from 2006 to 2010, and since then the 27 year-old Ferrera has played a recurring role on CBS drama "The Good Wife."

Williams is a filmmaker who directed "The Dry Land," an independent film released last year that starred Ferrera.

(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis: Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

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America Ferrera weds longtime boyfriend (AP)

NEW YORK – America Ferrera is a married lady. People magazine's website says the 27-year-old "Ugly Betty" star and longtime boyfriend Ryan Piers Williams were wed Monday night in "an intimate setting" with close friends and family in attendance.

A representative for Ferrera confirmed the report Tuesday.

Ferrera won an Emmy, a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her portrayal of Betty Suarez on ABC's "Ugly Betty."

The couple met at the University of Southern California when Williams cast her in his student film.

They became engaged last year.

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Online:

http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ap/ap_on_en_tv/storytext/us_people_america_ferrera/42036142/SIG=10ua0850e/*http://www.people.com/people

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Royal newlyweds take "small" entourage to North America (Reuters)

LONDON (Reuters) – Royal newlyweds the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will take an entourage of seven people on their upcoming visit to North America, palace officials said on Wednesday.

The team, which British media described as unusually small, will not include a separate dresser for Kate Middleton, who married Prince William in a glittering royal ceremony on April 29 and has since become a top fashion icon.

The Duchess will also do without a lady-in-waiting, an official female companion, although she will be accompanied by her hairdresser James Pryce.

The couple flies out to Canada on June 30, in the Duchess' first official overseas trip as a member of the monarchy.

Toward the end of the trip, William and Catherine will attend a special "BAFTA Brits to Watch" event in Los Angeles on July 9 designed to promote up-and-coming talent in film, television and video gaming.

(Reporting by Mike Collett-White and Phil Noble; Editing by Steve Addison)

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